Instant Justice Begins at the Beach

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The long holiday weekend is over, and now there's just the trash left behind.

At Mission Beach, crowds showed up before sunrise to get a good spot, and after packing up and going home, they left tons of trash behind.

On Tuesday at 9 a.m., people who received certain non-traffic infractions or misdemeanors in the Pacific Beach, Mission Beach or Mission Bay Park areas will complete five hours of community service by picking up trash along the beach. Their participation is part of a program called "Instant Justice," which is taking place for the first time this weekend.

Participants who volunteer to take part in the program won't be cited for breaking the law.

The program is run by the Beach Area Community court and Discover Pacific Beach.

Participants had to show up Tuesday with $40 cash or cashier's check, valid photo id and their citation.

"Due to the high number of offenders on the 4th of July holiday weekend, this is a great way for those who are cited to give back to our beach community by performing community work service at the beach and instantly receive the benefit of criminal charges not being filed against them." said Chief Deputy City Attorney Regan Savalla.

The idea behind the program is intervention, diversion and reducing recidivism, the City Attorney's office said.